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Before we jump into this week's interview, a few pieces of business:
This is the last Creating While Parenting interview I have scheduled! If you've enjoyed reading these, let me know. Or if there's some other demographic you'd like to hear from in future interviews, let me know that as well.
The mega chapter book giveaway I organized continues through tomorrow, 8/20, with a winner being chosen on 8/21. Enter for a chance to win 10 new books for readers ages 6-9!
I was so thrilled to be a guest on two podcasts this week! The conversation on Reading With Your Kids was about Madison Morris is NOT a Mouse! and how parents can help kids, particularly young girls, feel confident and empowered to make a difference in their communities. The conversation on DIYMFA Radio was more focused on the craft of writing, including how I transitioned from writing YA to chapter books and how the Class Critters series came together. I hope you'll give one or both a listen!
If you've already read Madison Morris, would you consider reviewing it on Amazon and other retail sites? Reviews help a book find more readers!
Now, without further ado...
This week's Creating While Parenting interview is with comedian and actor Abbi Crutchfield! I've been lucky to know this funny lady for over a decade, since before we both became parents. Now our daughters are friends, which is very cool!
Follow Abbi on Twitter and Instagram for jokes and updates on where you can catch her live and on your screen.
Here are her answers to my three questions!
1. How would you describe yourself as a creator/artist/maker?
I am a comedian, which means I write and perform comedy. The other titles I have had that fall under that header are stand-up, host, and comedy writer. As a performer, I am a stand-up comedian, a voiceover artist, a television actor, a commercial actor, a host of live events, and a host of television shows like "Up Early Tonight" on Hulu. I have also been a house sketch team member at UCB, an improviser, an actor in digital shorts with SNL cast members, and an actor on late night shows like "Full Frontal with Samantha Bee" and "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert." I provided guest commentary on music video shows for MTV and VH1, I have been a guest panelist on comedy game shows, and I have even hosted a couple of game shows. With comedy writing, I have been a social media manager at College Humor, a contributor to funny websites like SomeEcards, I have been published in comedy compilation books, and I even helped create a party game in the style of Cards Against Humanity.
Everything I do today is something I dreamed of doing as a kid, and some of the jobs I have had exceeded the hopes I had as a kid!
2. How does being a parent impact and interact with your creative life?
Being a parent has brought out my creative side, but I usually channel it into entertaining my daughter and helping her learn rather than using my experiences to inform a sitcom pilot. A lot of our interactions do end up in my stand-up, so parenting is helpful for generating new material! But mostly I make all of the objects in our house talk to motivate her throughout the day or help her problem solve, I turn chores into games, and I look up new crafts to make with her. My favorite was sewing felt into play bow-tie pasta. A lot of toys she has are fun for me to secretly play with. Shhh. Don’t tell her.
3. What keeps you most connected to your creativity these days?
One way I stay creative in my spare time besides jotting down ideas for jokes is by engaging with nail polish enthusiasts on my nail art Instagram. It’s a hobby that I feed every day so I can learn about new nail art techniques, try and showcase new designs, or just socialize with fellow nail polish nerds.
